Why some American Christians believe handling venomous snakes is a test of faith

Cultures · Published 9 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In remote Appalachian churches, believers handle rattlesnakes and consume poison to demonstrate the Holy Spirit's presence. Based on a literal reading of the Gospel of Mark, this practice persists despite significant legal challenges and the inherent danger of death, which practitioners view as the inevitable will of God.

The practice of snake handling in American Christianity, primarily within the Holiness and Pentecostal movements, emerged in the early 20th century. While often associated with George Went Hensley, who promoted the ritual throughout the Southeast, academic research suggests the origins are likely decentralized and independent. Practitioners rely on the 'longer ending' of the Gospel of Mark, which states that believers shall 'take up serpents' and drink deadly things without harm. This is supplemented by the account in Acts 28, where the Apostle Paul survives a viper bite.

Services are characterized by singing, speaking in tongues, and the handling of venomous snakes—most commonly rattlesnakes, cottonmouths, and copperheads—in a designated area behind the pulpit. While some believers also consume strychnine, the ritual is not compulsory. If a member is bitten, they typically avoid medical intervention, relying instead on prayer. Deaths are not interpreted as a failure of faith, but rather as the individual's appointed time to die. The movement remains notoriously private, with membership estimates ranging from 1,000 to 5,000 across roughly 50 to 125 congregations.

The practice has faced significant legal scrutiny. Most Appalachian states initially outlawed the ritual, and some jurisdictions have passed specific statutes regarding the possession of dangerous animals. In 1941, Georgia briefly made snake handling a capital offense, though the law was repealed in 1968 due to the reluctance of juries to convict. Conversely, West Virginia protects the practice under its state constitution. Despite the risks—which include atrophied limbs and documented fatalities—adherents maintain that the ability to handle serpents is a tangible manifestation of divine grace and power.

The movement is not monolithic; churches are autonomous and often divided between Trinitarian groups, influenced by Hensley, and non-Trinitarian 'Oneness' groups, influenced by James Miller. While the practice has seen fluctuations in popularity, it persists as a unique expression of faith that continues to spark debate over the boundaries of religious freedom in the United States.

General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.

Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?

Related

• Snake charming is not about hypnosis, but a dangerous dance with a threatened predator.
• The fearsome symbol of American revolution was actually quite shy
• Many venomous snakebites carry no venom at all, by the snake's choice
• Australia's most common snake is venomous, yet remarkably, it has never caused a human death.
• How nature's own defenses could revolutionize snakebite treatment
• How a morning ritual once held the Roman social hierarchy together
• Smartglasses are more than just wearable screens; they are sophisticated, context-aware computing platforms.
• How a California punk band became the Rolling Stones of the hardcore scene
• How a London mod group redefined the psychedelic era
• Feet can sweat a quarter pint a day—socks mop it up
• Why the most influential music genre of the nineties was born as a joke
• The evolution of the Mexican sombrero from functional shade to high-fashion icon

More in Clothing and fashion · More in Cultures · Latest · A–Z · All topics